Messed up the Google timed coding assignment [closed]

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I had prepared quite well for Google and Facebook kind of interviews which focussed on algorithms and problem solving. Google sent me a timed coding assignment of two problems which I had to solve in one hour. However, with the first one I took a wrong path and ended up taking more time than expected and couldn't complete that one neither could I even start the second one. To make matters worse as soon as the time ended I realized the solution to the first problem was a lot simpler. I also believe a bug ended the test 15 minutes too prematurely. However, I have been called for a telephonic interview. Has anyone else been in the same situation. Can I give a strong telephonic interview and rectify the situation or are my chances pretty slim?

interviewing

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asked Feb 7 '15 at 8:40

Jack Sester

8315

closed as off-topic by Philipp, gnat, NotMe, Justin Cave, Jim G. Feb 8 '15 at 13:22

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Philipp, gnat, NotMe, Justin Cave

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Does that matter? Do your best on the phone interview and see where it leads you.
  – nvoigt
  Feb 7 '15 at 12:27
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Vtc. This is off topic, as it is about company policy. On the other hand, a suuccessful interview means you stay in contact with the company, so do not sweat it. You done good.
  – bharal
  Feb 7 '15 at 12:28
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is REALLY company specific. We can't tell you what google will do.
  – sevensevens
  Feb 7 '15 at 22:19
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
-3
down vote

favorite

1

I had prepared quite well for Google and Facebook kind of interviews which focussed on algorithms and problem solving. Google sent me a timed coding assignment of two problems which I had to solve in one hour. However, with the first one I took a wrong path and ended up taking more time than expected and couldn't complete that one neither could I even start the second one. To make matters worse as soon as the time ended I realized the solution to the first problem was a lot simpler. I also believe a bug ended the test 15 minutes too prematurely. However, I have been called for a telephonic interview. Has anyone else been in the same situation. Can I give a strong telephonic interview and rectify the situation or are my chances pretty slim?

interviewing

share|improve this question

asked Feb 7 '15 at 8:40

Jack Sester

8315

closed as off-topic by Philipp, gnat, NotMe, Justin Cave, Jim G. Feb 8 '15 at 13:22

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Philipp, gnat, NotMe, Justin Cave

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Does that matter? Do your best on the phone interview and see where it leads you.
  – nvoigt
  Feb 7 '15 at 12:27
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Vtc. This is off topic, as it is about company policy. On the other hand, a suuccessful interview means you stay in contact with the company, so do not sweat it. You done good.
  – bharal
  Feb 7 '15 at 12:28
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is REALLY company specific. We can't tell you what google will do.
  – sevensevens
  Feb 7 '15 at 22:19
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
-3
down vote

favorite

1

up vote
-3
down vote

favorite

1

1

I had prepared quite well for Google and Facebook kind of interviews which focussed on algorithms and problem solving. Google sent me a timed coding assignment of two problems which I had to solve in one hour. However, with the first one I took a wrong path and ended up taking more time than expected and couldn't complete that one neither could I even start the second one. To make matters worse as soon as the time ended I realized the solution to the first problem was a lot simpler. I also believe a bug ended the test 15 minutes too prematurely. However, I have been called for a telephonic interview. Has anyone else been in the same situation. Can I give a strong telephonic interview and rectify the situation or are my chances pretty slim?

interviewing

share|improve this question

asked Feb 7 '15 at 8:40

Jack Sester

8315

I had prepared quite well for Google and Facebook kind of interviews which focussed on algorithms and problem solving. Google sent me a timed coding assignment of two problems which I had to solve in one hour. However, with the first one I took a wrong path and ended up taking more time than expected and couldn't complete that one neither could I even start the second one. To make matters worse as soon as the time ended I realized the solution to the first problem was a lot simpler. I also believe a bug ended the test 15 minutes too prematurely. However, I have been called for a telephonic interview. Has anyone else been in the same situation. Can I give a strong telephonic interview and rectify the situation or are my chances pretty slim?

interviewing

share|improve this question

asked Feb 7 '15 at 8:40

Jack Sester

8315

share|improve this question

share|improve this question

asked Feb 7 '15 at 8:40

Jack Sester

8315

asked Feb 7 '15 at 8:40

Jack Sester

8315

asked Feb 7 '15 at 8:40

Jack Sester

8315

8315

closed as off-topic by Philipp, gnat, NotMe, Justin Cave, Jim G. Feb 8 '15 at 13:22

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Philipp, gnat, NotMe, Justin Cave

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

closed as off-topic by Philipp, gnat, NotMe, Justin Cave, Jim G. Feb 8 '15 at 13:22

This question appears to be off-topic. The users who voted to close gave this specific reason:

• "Questions seeking advice on company-specific regulations, agreements, or policies should be directed to your manager or HR department. Questions that address only a specific company or position are of limited use to future visitors. Questions seeking legal advice should be directed to legal professionals. For more information, click here." – Philipp, gnat, NotMe, Justin Cave

If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Does that matter? Do your best on the phone interview and see where it leads you.
  – nvoigt
  Feb 7 '15 at 12:27
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Vtc. This is off topic, as it is about company policy. On the other hand, a suuccessful interview means you stay in contact with the company, so do not sweat it. You done good.
  – bharal
  Feb 7 '15 at 12:28
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is REALLY company specific. We can't tell you what google will do.
  – sevensevens
  Feb 7 '15 at 22:19
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Does that matter? Do your best on the phone interview and see where it leads you.
  – nvoigt
  Feb 7 '15 at 12:27
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  2
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Vtc. This is off topic, as it is about company policy. On the other hand, a suuccessful interview means you stay in contact with the company, so do not sweat it. You done good.
  – bharal
  Feb 7 '15 at 12:28
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  This is REALLY company specific. We can't tell you what google will do.
  – sevensevens
  Feb 7 '15 at 22:19
  

  
  
  
  

2

2

Does that matter? Do your best on the phone interview and see where it leads you.
– nvoigt
Feb 7 '15 at 12:27

Does that matter? Do your best on the phone interview and see where it leads you.
– nvoigt
Feb 7 '15 at 12:27

2

2

Vtc. This is off topic, as it is about company policy. On the other hand, a suuccessful interview means you stay in contact with the company, so do not sweat it. You done good.
– bharal
Feb 7 '15 at 12:28

Vtc. This is off topic, as it is about company policy. On the other hand, a suuccessful interview means you stay in contact with the company, so do not sweat it. You done good.
– bharal
Feb 7 '15 at 12:28

This is REALLY company specific. We can't tell you what google will do.
– sevensevens
Feb 7 '15 at 22:19

This is REALLY company specific. We can't tell you what google will do.
– sevensevens
Feb 7 '15 at 22:19

suggest improvements | 

1 Answer
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However, with the first one I took a wrong path and ended up taking more time than expected and couldn't complete that one neither could I even start the second one

That's what the assignment is testing. Can you solve the task? If not, how do you recover from an error?

Imagine that you're at work and there's an emergency. You don't get credit for realising the solution 1 minute after the deadline.

I don't work for Google, so I can't give you advice on why they've scheduled a telephone interview.

Don't make excuses for yourself during the interview - but do take the opportunity to explain how you will deal with being under pressure in the future.

share|improve this answer

answered Feb 7 '15 at 13:29

Terence Eden

10.3k43350

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Coding assignments are merely one benchmark of several for comparing potential candidates. The precise "deadline" is less important than the solution, even in real life work situations. I would further add that in the artificial coding assignment, the solution is even less important than the approach taken. Whether or not the OP succeeds depends on how the others did and what else the OP brings to the table as a candidate.
  – teego1967
  Feb 9 '15 at 12:30
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

1 Answer
1

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

active

oldest

votes

up vote
3
down vote

However, with the first one I took a wrong path and ended up taking more time than expected and couldn't complete that one neither could I even start the second one

That's what the assignment is testing. Can you solve the task? If not, how do you recover from an error?

Imagine that you're at work and there's an emergency. You don't get credit for realising the solution 1 minute after the deadline.

I don't work for Google, so I can't give you advice on why they've scheduled a telephone interview.

Don't make excuses for yourself during the interview - but do take the opportunity to explain how you will deal with being under pressure in the future.

share|improve this answer

answered Feb 7 '15 at 13:29

Terence Eden

10.3k43350

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Coding assignments are merely one benchmark of several for comparing potential candidates. The precise "deadline" is less important than the solution, even in real life work situations. I would further add that in the artificial coding assignment, the solution is even less important than the approach taken. Whether or not the OP succeeds depends on how the others did and what else the OP brings to the table as a candidate.
  – teego1967
  Feb 9 '15 at 12:30
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
3
down vote

However, with the first one I took a wrong path and ended up taking more time than expected and couldn't complete that one neither could I even start the second one

That's what the assignment is testing. Can you solve the task? If not, how do you recover from an error?

Imagine that you're at work and there's an emergency. You don't get credit for realising the solution 1 minute after the deadline.

I don't work for Google, so I can't give you advice on why they've scheduled a telephone interview.

Don't make excuses for yourself during the interview - but do take the opportunity to explain how you will deal with being under pressure in the future.

share|improve this answer

answered Feb 7 '15 at 13:29

Terence Eden

10.3k43350

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Coding assignments are merely one benchmark of several for comparing potential candidates. The precise "deadline" is less important than the solution, even in real life work situations. I would further add that in the artificial coding assignment, the solution is even less important than the approach taken. Whether or not the OP succeeds depends on how the others did and what else the OP brings to the table as a candidate.
  – teego1967
  Feb 9 '15 at 12:30
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

up vote
3
down vote

up vote
3
down vote

However, with the first one I took a wrong path and ended up taking more time than expected and couldn't complete that one neither could I even start the second one

That's what the assignment is testing. Can you solve the task? If not, how do you recover from an error?

Imagine that you're at work and there's an emergency. You don't get credit for realising the solution 1 minute after the deadline.

I don't work for Google, so I can't give you advice on why they've scheduled a telephone interview.

Don't make excuses for yourself during the interview - but do take the opportunity to explain how you will deal with being under pressure in the future.

share|improve this answer

answered Feb 7 '15 at 13:29

Terence Eden

10.3k43350

However, with the first one I took a wrong path and ended up taking more time than expected and couldn't complete that one neither could I even start the second one

That's what the assignment is testing. Can you solve the task? If not, how do you recover from an error?

Imagine that you're at work and there's an emergency. You don't get credit for realising the solution 1 minute after the deadline.

I don't work for Google, so I can't give you advice on why they've scheduled a telephone interview.

Don't make excuses for yourself during the interview - but do take the opportunity to explain how you will deal with being under pressure in the future.

share|improve this answer

answered Feb 7 '15 at 13:29

Terence Eden

10.3k43350

share|improve this answer

share|improve this answer

answered Feb 7 '15 at 13:29

Terence Eden

10.3k43350

answered Feb 7 '15 at 13:29

Terence Eden

10.3k43350

answered Feb 7 '15 at 13:29

Terence Eden

10.3k43350

10.3k43350

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Coding assignments are merely one benchmark of several for comparing potential candidates. The precise "deadline" is less important than the solution, even in real life work situations. I would further add that in the artificial coding assignment, the solution is even less important than the approach taken. Whether or not the OP succeeds depends on how the others did and what else the OP brings to the table as a candidate.
  – teego1967
  Feb 9 '15 at 12:30
  

  
  
  
  

suggest improvements | 

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  Coding assignments are merely one benchmark of several for comparing potential candidates. The precise "deadline" is less important than the solution, even in real life work situations. I would further add that in the artificial coding assignment, the solution is even less important than the approach taken. Whether or not the OP succeeds depends on how the others did and what else the OP brings to the table as a candidate.
  – teego1967
  Feb 9 '15 at 12:30
  

  
  
  
  

Coding assignments are merely one benchmark of several for comparing potential candidates. The precise "deadline" is less important than the solution, even in real life work situations. I would further add that in the artificial coding assignment, the solution is even less important than the approach taken. Whether or not the OP succeeds depends on how the others did and what else the OP brings to the table as a candidate.
– teego1967
Feb 9 '15 at 12:30

Coding assignments are merely one benchmark of several for comparing potential candidates. The precise "deadline" is less important than the solution, even in real life work situations. I would further add that in the artificial coding assignment, the solution is even less important than the approach taken. Whether or not the OP succeeds depends on how the others did and what else the OP brings to the table as a candidate.
– teego1967
Feb 9 '15 at 12:30

suggest improvements |